Tips + Inspiration

Pilea Peperomioides – Caring for Our Favourite Plant

The Newest Houseplant Sensation!

Ah, Pilea Peperomioides. You’ve taken the world by storm and become the houseplant’s newest all-star! With such a quick rise to the top you’ve become a household name (and household resident) across the world. Some superstars age well and other’s not-so-much. When you, our beloved West Coasters, bring home your gorgeous Pilea plant we want to make sure it looks just as amazing in the years to come! (Unfortunately, you can’t give your Pilea botox or a face-lift). Take a look at our easy Pilea care instructions below!

Pilea Care Basics

Watering – Like most tropical house plants, the Pilea likes to be watered thoroughly and then left until the soil is dry before doing another watering. Keeping the soil constantly soaked will just allow the roots to rot and create an unhealthy plant.

Light – Your Pilea needs bright indirect light, and enjoys morning sunshine. A few hours of direct light is fine, as long as it’s not sitting in scorching sunlight all day. (A south facing window is the best option).

Fertilizing – A general houseplant or tropical plant fertilizer will work wonders for your Pilea, and you can expect it to grow and flourish all year.

Pilea Troubleshooting and Upkeep

Even celebrity plants need some upkeep and a check-in now and then. (Salon and therapy, anyone?) Pilea are resilient plants but knowing what to look for can help you stop trouble before it begins!

Curved or domed leaves – Pilea plants get curved and dome shaped leaves when they aren’t getting enough light. These plants are not low-light plants, and can’t get by without a window and lots of sunlight.

Inward curling leaves – When your leaves are curling inward and look dry, this can mean your plant is suffering from heat stroke. The temperature has gotten too high and your plant needs to be moved away from a heat source or out of direct sunlight.

Yellow leaves – Uh oh! Yellow leaves are appearing on your plant, what do you do? First, don’t panic. It’s natural for leaves to die and fall off. However, if there are more than one or two at a time, this may indicate a problem. If you notice the yellow leaves are all at the bottom of the plant, then that means it needs more fertilizing or better lighting. If the yellow leaves are throughout your whole plant, then likely your plant is getting either too much sun or too much water.

Brown spots on the leaves – When blotchy brown spots appear on a leaf, that could mean a fungal problem, and that leaf should be removed immediately. This will most likely fix the problem and you can relax!

Bent stem or top heavy plant – The best way to deal with a top heavy plant is to stake it! Use a wooden or metal stake, placed right beside the main stem and anchored in the ground, and then clip it to the plant. You can use plastic clips or soft twine. This will keep your plant looking tall and straight.

Pilea plants come in a number of varieties (like the ‘Watermelon’ Pilea plant above) so you can find your favourite to bring home and start your collection. With such bold shaped leaves and bright green colouring, the Pilea looks amazing in any kind of pot, especially simple white designs. You can also plant a number of Pilea in one container to create a bushy full look. Enjoy your new superstar roommate!